Apple has plans to release their updated MacBook Pro line in the second quarter of 2012 with a display resolution of 2880×1800 pixels. With the extremely high pixel density, Apple hopes to distinguish themselves from other manufacturers.

According to the Taiwanese site Digitimes, sources and suppliers that are well informed, confirmed that the new MacBook Pro’s are likely to have a 2880×1800-resolution display. The site has a mixed passed with rumors about upcoming Apple products. The 2880×1800 resolution display has an aspect ratio of 16:10, which is the same ration that Apple uses in their current line. However, it seems unlikely that Apple is capable of making such a big step, the resolution of the current 17” MacBook Pro is only 1920×1200 pixels, while the 15” MacBook Pro has a resolution up to 1680×1050 pixels and the 13” MacBook Pro only has a display of 1280×800 pixels. Even the latest Apple 27” Thunderbolt displays ‘only’ has a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels.

There are, however more indications that notebook and tablet manufactures will introduce higher-resolution displays in 2012. Rumor has it that the next-generation iPad will have a 2560×1600 ‘retina’ display. Manufactures already claimed and showed that they are capable of producing these panels. The new line of ultra books of Asus and Acer are likely to be equipped with a display of 1920×1080 pixels. Intel warned notebook manufactures on the IDF in September of this year, that they think about the battery life if they are going to respond to the demand of higher resolution displays. Manufactures are already working hard to improve the energy use by adding some memory to the display, which should be capable of saving the last frame.